Freezing Fresh Eggs

During the summer months when egg production is high and your egg basket is overflowing, be sure you set aside some of your extra eggs to use through the winter. Freeze the eggs so you have them to use for holiday baking and through the cold months when laying naturally slows.

Wait...what???? You can freeze eggs?

We often find ourselves with excess eggs. In order to ensure we have enough eggs for holiday baking and other recipes through the winter when production naturally drops (since we don't light our coop to force our chickens to lay), I have started freezing eggs to save them for the lean winter months so we don't have to go buy icky store bought eggs.

There are various ways to freeze eggs and all work just fine. The one thing you don't want to do is freeze your eggs whole in the shell because they'll crack and then you risk bacterial contamination when you defrost them.

So here's how you freeze eggs. All you need is ice cube trays, salt, cooking spray and fresh eggs.

FREEZING WHOLE EGGS

Freezing the whole egg (minus the shell!) is best when you'll be using the eggs later for fried eggs or egg sandwiches

You can freeze the eggs whole quite easily. Just break each egg into an ice cube tray, muffin tin or these great silicone ice cube trays. (The silicone is nice because it makes the eggs easier to get out once they're frozen, although I do find that spraying your container with some coconut or other cooking spray is helpful as well.)

Then freeze the trays. Once they're frozen solid, you can pop the egg cubes out and store them in the freezer in freezer bags or a freezer-safe container.

If you want to separate your eggs instead, that works too.

FREEZING EGG WHITES

Freezing the egg whites separately works best when you will be making meringues or other recipes calling only for whites.

To freeze just the egg whites, separate each egg and drop the white of each egg into a separate compartment of your container. Freeze, store and defrost as above.

You can also separate a whole bowl full of eggs and then pour them into your trays. When you're ready to use them, remember that 2 Tablespoons of egg white equals the amount in one egg.

FREEZING EGG YOLKS

Freezing the egg yolks separately works best for when you will be making Hollandaise sauce, lemon curd or other recipes calling only for yolks.

To freeze the egg yolks, you will want to separate your eggs and very lightly whisk the yolks in a bowl. Add a pinch of salt (otherwise the yolks will have a grainy texture).

You can measure out the yolk mixture in one Tablespoon amounts to freeze, or fill your containers with three Tablespoons as I have done here. Freeze and store as above.

When you defrost the yolks, remember that one Tablespoon of yolk is the equivalent of one egg yolk called for in a recipe.

Even easier, you can freeze whisked eggs.

FREEZING WHISKED EGGS

Whisking the eggs and then freezing them works best for scrambled eggs or recipes calling for whole eggs.

To freeze whole eggs when you won't be separating them, lightly whisk the eggs (you don't want to incorporate too much air into them), then add a pinch of salt.

Pour the mixture into your ice cube or silicone trays and freeze them. Once frozen, pop the cubes out and store in freezer bags.

USING YOUR FROZEN EGGS

Frozen eggs will last for about 6 months in the freezer. When you are ready to use them, defrost as many eggs as your recipe calls for overnight in the fridge or on the counter until defrosted. Once defrosted, they should be fully cooked and eaten as soon as possible. Be sure to use the eggs immediately and only in recipes that call for the eggs to be fully cooked.

When you are ready to use the cubes, remember that each 3 Tablespoon cube of whisked whole egg is the equivalent of one egg, so it's very easy to measure the out the correct number of cubes for recipes.

Since I choose not to light my chicken coop in the winter to give our hens a well-deserved break, I find that planning ahead and freezing eggs when we have extras assures that I don't have to go buy store bought eggs when laying slows.

So leave some freezer space and freeze some of your eggs! Whether you freeze them separated or whole, you'll be glad for some delicious eggs come winter!

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Sure you can use the whole eggs in baking but the yolk does kind of get a weird consistency or texture if you don't lightly whisk them, so if you will be needing whole eggs for baking I would recommend a light whisking and pinch of salt.

Yes, I just started using mineral oil. I used to use vegetable oil, but that gets gummy after sitting out a while. I like to use my crocheted egg holder tubes, which work well for this method. :-) http://youtu.be/_UlYV-y6OeM?list=PL2iOnDqPW7OAAekIQfD-uiRP2uLNorD1O

These are great tips! I like to whisk them (two at a time) and put them in ziplock baggies, and store flat in the freezer until they're frozen. Then I stack them in a box. They are quickly defrosted under lukewarm water when I need them.

I didn't know you could freeze them whole like that! I have been freezing eggs for some time but thought they had to be whisked first with the addition of either salt or sugar! Thanks for making my life a tad bit easier :) Thank you also for linking up with the Art of Home-Making Mondays this week! I love the information you share Lisa!